Pruning and Pest Control for Roses

Hearts Pest Management offers both organic and traditional pest management solutions for treating roses for pests and fungus such as aphids and powdery mildew. Hearts will also prune your roses and keep you apprised of the health of your rose garden. Our Service Representatives are trained in rose care and maintenance, ensuring the best form of treatment for eliminating the various types of pests rose bushes often attract.

Video Pruning and Rose Care with Gerry Weitz and Trish Kydd

Here are some questions often asked in regards to caring for roses:

1. Why do roses need pruning? Answer: Pruning is important to rid the rose bush of any diseased canes (main branches) and leaves. Pruning also shapes the rose bush which is essential for the health of the plant by proving air circulation between the canes. 2. What kind of diseases do roses get? A Answer: powdery mildew, rust, and other fungal diseases like black spot. Poor watering and not enough air circulation between the canes can cause these types of fungal diseases. 3. What time of year should I prune my rose bushes? Answer: It depends on not only the climate where you live but also whether you are doing hard or soft pruning. Note: January is always a good time to do the hard pruning no matter where you live. Hard pruning consists of cutting the canes down to about ½ to 1/3 of the rose bush’s original size, depending on the type of rose. For instance, climbing roses require leaving the long canes uncut and clearing out any dead branches and leaves. Soft pruning is “summer pruning.” When pruning during the summer, it’s best to cut back any dead branches and leaves, it’s really about cleani ng up the rose bush. During the summer, however, it is important to treat for pests. 4. What type of pest is most prominent during the summer? Answer: Roses get tiny green caterpillars that look like inch worms called “Rose Slugs” that come from the Sawfly. Damage from rose slugs causes skeletonization of the leaves. Summer pests on roses also include aphids, powdery mildew, rust, and black spot. 5. What about in the winter because in southern California, we have very mild winters; are insects still prevalent during this time of year? Answer: Many types of insects will overwinter on rose bushes, spraying the roses with what is called a “dormant” spray or horticultural oil will help eliminate any overwintering invaders. In southern California we have insects and fungal diseases all year round so it is important to keep a maintenance plan throughout the year to keep pests away and maintain the health of your roses. All of Hearts technicians provide quality customer service while practicing Integrated Pest Management (IPM) methods for treating landscape pests and fungus, typically found on rose bushes. Hearts Pest Management recommends a monthly or bi-monthly maintenance service to treat roses for pests and fungus; this particular service will also provide both “hard” and “soft” pruning to ensure the health of your rose garden. Please call us at 1-800-986-1006 for a free inspection, or you may fill out the form below.